 This week, the County Executive discusses the Capital Area Food Bank's recently released Hunger Report, the decline in food insecurity in the County, and how the County is working to help residents. He responds to a renewed focus on car thefts committed by juveniles and the governor's new directive to develop a pilot program to aid local police, and he provides a reminder about important changes to Medicaid and state-managed public health care coverage just before open enrollment begins on November 1.
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County officials, including the Commission for Women, remind residents that preventing sexual violence, supporting survivors, and holding offenders accountable require year-round commitment. While Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign observed every April, recent national news coverage has highlighted drug-facilitated sexual assault, in which perpetrators use drugs to impair a person’s ability to consent to or resist sexual activity. Survivors may not remember the assault.
In Maryland, a 2023 law eliminated longstanding exemptions that allowed marriage to serve as a defense against certain sex crimes. Effective Oct. 1, 2023, the law ensures that survivors of sexual assault by a spouse have the same rights to pursue charges as other survivors. The legislation was supported by the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and advocates, reinforcing the importance of laws that protect survivors and promote accountability.
Survivors of sexual violence in Montgomery County can access free medical, counseling, and legal resources:
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Medical care and evidence collection: Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center provides free sexual assault forensic examinations. Testing for drug-facilitated sexual assault may be available as part of an exam.
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Counseling and support: Montgomery County Trauma Services offers free individual and group counseling and coordinated support for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes.
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Legal assistance: The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute provides legal services to survivors of sexual violence in Maryland. Call 301-565-2277 for legal assistance.
Anyone who has experienced sexual assault is encouraged to seek support, even if there are no visible physical injuries. Survivors deserve compassionate care, access to resources, and the opportunity to pursue justice.
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Smoke, flavor, and competition are coming to downtown Wheaton with the debut of the MoCo Smoke Show, a new signature barbecue competition and community celebration. The free event will take place from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2424 Reedie Drive in downtown Wheaton. The event will be held rain or shine.
Presented by the MoCo Smoke Show BBQ Festival Team, Wheaton Urban District, and Montgomery County, this community event will bring barbecue culture to Wheaton, one of Montgomery County’s most vibrant and diverse food destinations.
The family-friendly event will transform the Wheaton Triangle into a full-day barbecue experience. Competition teams and pitmasters will fire up their smokers while attendees enjoy delicious food and drink, live entertainment, local marketplace vendors, family activities, and opportunities to explore the surrounding community.
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The Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show will take place at Rockville Civic Center Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. The free event features vehicles from more than 30 car clubs displayed on the grounds of historic Glenview Mansion located at 603 Edmonston Drive in Rockville. Attendees also can enjoy live music by The Rock-A-Sonics, browse an on-site flea market, and purchase food and beverages.
Limited public and accessible parking will be available beginning at 9:30 a.m. A free, accessible shuttle will run continuously between Meadow Hall Elementary School, located at 951 Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville, and the event grounds from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
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The Montgomery County Commission on Children and Youth has named three recipients of the Dr. Nancy Dworkin Award for Outstanding Service to Youth. The 2026 awards mark the return of a countywide tradition that recognized individuals and organizations for 33 years before being paused in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s recipients are Wylea Chase (Adult Volunteer), Alexandra Cox (Youth), and the Education Committee of the Montgomery County, Maryland Section of the National Council of Negro Women (Nonprofit Partner).
Named in memory of former Commission Chair Nancy Dworkin, the award recognizes individuals and organizations whose service helps young people reach their full potential. Chase is recognized for her leadership in educational equity and family engagement, Cox for amplifying youth voices and increasing youth participation in policy discussions, and the NCNW Education Committee for providing mentorship, leadership development, and academic support to students.
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Montgomery County residents can vote early in the 2026 General Election from Thursday, Oct. 22, through Thursday, Oct. 29. The County’s 14 early voting centers will be open daily from 7 a.m.– 8 p.m. Voters may cast their ballots at any early voting center in Montgomery County. Early voting allows residents to participate in elections for federal, state, and local offices, as well as in ballot questions.
Ride On buses provide fare-free transportation for residents and provide access to many poll locations. Riders can use the Ride On Trip Planner to plan their trips and check routes and schedules. To find an early voting center, get directions, and check wait times, visit 777vote.org.
Metrobus routes also serve early voting centers. Metrobus offers various free and reduced-fare programs, including the Senior SmarTrip Card for seniors 65 or older and persons with disabilities, and the Youth Cruiser card for students 18 and under.
Residents can meet local first responders, explore emergency vehicles, and enjoy family-friendly activities at two upcoming fire and rescue open houses.
The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad will host its annual Rescue Day on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at 5020 Battery Lane in Bethesda. The event will feature fire and rescue demonstrations, hands-on CPR demonstrations, activities for children and adults, and food trucks. Visitors can watch emergency responders demonstrate vehicle extrication techniques, and practice using a fire hose. Free child-sized fire helmets and safety information also will be available.
The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department will host its open house on Sunday, Oct. 18, from noon–4 p.m., at 19801 Beallsville Road in Beallsville. Families can explore fire and emergency medical services vehicles, enjoy food, games, and prizes, visit a pumpkin patch, and take a hayride. Local vendors will also be on site.
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Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has received two national Best Practices Awards from StateWays magazine, recognizing its technology improvements and efforts to promote responsible alcohol sales. ABS won the Best Technology Innovation award for its automated warehouse receiving and accounts payable system, which reduces paperwork, strengthens financial controls, and helps prevent errors and duplicate payments.
ABS also received the Best Trade/Licensee Education Program award for its Good Neighbor program, which recognizes alcohol-licensed businesses that pass compliance checks by refusing to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under age 21. Businesses that fail compliance checks receive individualized training to help prevent future violations. The awards will be presented on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association’s Administrators Conference.
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Help the County improve services and take the Montgomery County 2026 Community Survey. The survey is open to all residents and is accessible on the County’s website. It aims to gather feedback on local government services and the perception of overall quality of life in the County. The survey deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19.
The survey questions will ask about several issues, including quality of life of neighborhood/community, favorability of County services, usage of amenities and facilities, participation in County programs, customer and constituent service of County employees, effectiveness of County communications, and household practices such as recycling.
To ensure a diverse and representative sample, the survey also has been sent to 6,000 randomly selected households, with instructions available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Persian/Farsi, and Amharic.
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Montgomery County is committed to ensuring that all residents can access and benefit from its programs to help clean our air and water, including Tree Montgomery, RainScapes, and Clean Water Montgomery Grants. To support this goal, the County is seeking community feedback on how to make these programs more accessible, inclusive, and effective. Take a brief survey or sign up to attend an upcoming community listening session. In-person attendees age 18 or older will receive a $20 gift card (one per person).
Community listening sessions are being held in person and virtually:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: In-person at Germantown Library, 7–8 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 26: Virtual, 7–8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 4: In-person at East County Community Recreation Center, 7–8 p.m.
Your feedback can help identify barriers and shape recommendations to better serve Montgomery County communities. For more information, contact Michael Pieper at michael.pieper@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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The Montgomery County Commission for Women will host “Virtual Career Exploration for Her,” a free, interactive virtual event for middle school, high school, and college-aged students, from 7–8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Participants will hear from professional women about their education, career paths, and experiences, with opportunities to ask questions and learn about the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in their fields. The event aims to encourage young women to explore a range of career opportunities, including fields traditionally dominated by men.
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Residents can safely dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted medications at upcoming drug take-back events hosted by Montgomery College and the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD). Proper disposal helps prevent accidental poisoning, overdose, and medication misuse while protecting the environment.
Montgomery College will host drop-off events from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the East County Education Center, and on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring campuses. Find a drop-off location.
Residents also can drop off medications from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at MCPD district stations as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
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Residents, caregivers, and professionals are invited to participate in a free online Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit from 1–3 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays in October. The educational series will explore how communities can support healthier, more connected lives for people of all ages.
Sessions will focus on longevity readiness, caregiving, brain health, housing, loneliness, and social connection:
- Thursday, Oct. 22: “Mind Matters: Prioritizing Brain Health Across the Age-Friendly Ecosystem.”
- Thursday, Oct. 29: “More Than Shelter: Housing, Loneliness, and Social Connection.”
The annual summit is hosted by George Washington University’s Center for Aging, Health and Humanities in partnership with Age-Friendly Alexandria, Arlington, the District of Columbia, Howard County, Hyattsville, Montgomery County, Orange County, N.C., AARP NC Coastal Region, and the Georgetown Center for Healthy Aging.
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The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights is accepting nominations for its 2026 Human Rights Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing human and civil rights in Montgomery County. Nominations are due by Friday, Oct. 23.
The 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The Hall of Fame, established in 2001, has honored more than 100 individuals.
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is bringing back Monster Flash, a Halloween-themed celebration aboard the County’s Flash Bus service.
Young children and their families can enjoy free Halloween-themed story times and activities at two Montgomery County libraries and the HalloWheaton event. Story times will be presented in English, Spanish, and Chinese, offering families an opportunity to celebrate together in multiple languages.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Twinbrook Library, 10 a.m.–noon, and Germantown Library, 2–4 p.m. Free children’s story times will be offered in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: HalloWheaton, noon–4 p.m., at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton. Families can enjoy additional Halloween activities and fun for young children.
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Join the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District for HalloWheaton, a festive fall celebration packed with family-friendly fun. The event will take place from noon–4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive, with a costume contest for kids at 2 p.m. Enjoy free activities, including s’mores roasting, pumpkin decorating, Halloween crafts, face painting, photo ops, and more. Adults can relax in the beer garden, warm up by the fire pits, play yard games, and explore the zombie trailer.
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Montgomery County’s MC Groceries program has provided more than $1.32 million in grocery benefits to families experiencing food insecurity since its launch in early 2024. The program, operated by the Office of Food Systems Resilience in partnership with Instacart, serves County families with children who face food insecurity but do not qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Participating households receive $100 per eligible child under age 18 each month, up to $400, to purchase groceries through the Instacart app, with home delivery available. The program has served 674 families and 1,427 children in its second year.
The program also helps families overcome transportation and other barriers to accessing groceries. Participants reported greater access to nutritious foods, reduced stress about grocery costs, and more convenient delivery. The program works with County agencies and community organizations to connect families with grocery benefits and other resources.
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Montgomery County’s Community Action Agency is recruiting volunteers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the 2027 tax season. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, including IRS-certified tax preparers, appointment schedulers, interpreters, intake screeners, and quality reviewers. There is a particular need for appointment schedulers and multilingual volunteers, including those who speak Spanish. Free training is provided, and volunteer opportunities are available at sites in Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Wheaton, with flexible hours and locations.
VITA provides free tax preparation assistance to County residents with household incomes of $71,000 or less, including Individual Taxpayer Identification Number holders. Last year, VITA volunteers contributed more than 3,400 hours and helped 2,479 households, providing services valued at nearly $8.9 million. High school students also can earn Student Service Learning hours as greeters or intake screeners.
Two virtual information sessions for prospective volunteers will be held at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. For more information or to volunteer, visit the VITA webpage, call 240-777-1123, or email VITA@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The Montgomery County Family Caregiving Support Program and The Arc Montgomery County will host a free in-person forum on Wednesday, Nov. 4, to recognize and support caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month.
The forum, “Taking Care of You: From Surviving to Thriving,” will be held from 9 a.m.–noon at The Arc Montgomery County, located at 7362 Calhoun Place in Rockville.
The morning will begin with a keynote presentation by Heather Volkema, client success manager at TRUALTA. She will share practical tools and strategies to help caregivers prioritize their own well-being while continuing to care for others.
Participants also can choose from breakout sessions focused on supporting the mind, body, and spirit:
- Yoga with Leslie Pont, MA, CHES, executive director of Washington Metro Oasis. The session will focus on gentle movement, breathing, and balance.
- Mindfulness with Amy Thomas, LCSW-C. Participants will learn grounding techniques to help reduce stress and promote calm.
- Relax Using Art with Cathy Nestoriak, caregiver artist. The session will explore creative expression as a way to promote relaxation and emotional well-being.
The free forum is open to caregivers at all stages, whether they are new to caregiving or have been providing care for years. The Montgomery County Family Caregiving Support Program is part of the County’s effort to provide resources, information, and support to family caregivers.
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Child care is one of the biggest expenses facing working families in Montgomery County. The Working Parents Assistance Program, part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, helps eligible County residents pay for child care so parents can work or attend school while their children are cared for in a safe and supportive environment.
The County has proposed updates to modernize the program’s eligibility criteria and operations and is seeking public comments before the changes are finalized.
Residents can review the proposed regulation and instructions for submitting comments in the October 2026 County Register. Written comments are due by Wednesday, Nov. 5, and may be emailed to Leslie Frey at Leslie.Frey@montgomerycountymd.gov or mailed to the Department of Health and Human Services, 401 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.
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Montgomery Parks’ annual Garden of Lights returns to Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on Friday, Nov. 20, transforming the gardens into a colorful holiday light display. The half-mile, walk-through experience features illuminated flowers, animals, and other natural elements. New displays this year include nighttime creatures such as a bat, luna moth, owl, and fireflies, along with brighter rope-light displays and photo opportunities.
Timed-entry tickets must be purchased online in advance at GardenofLights.org. Admission is $13.99 per person Sunday through Thursday and $16.99 Friday and Saturday. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. The event is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. It operates rain or shine, with entry times beginning at 5 p.m. Visitors also can enjoy refreshments and seasonal shopping at the Brookside Gardens Gift Shop.
Garden of Lights runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. The event will be closed Nov. 23–26, Dec. 24–25, and Jan. 1.
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